But his sternest test will come against Froch at the Capital FM Arena this weekend – a man who has never lost on home soil.

“This has been a long while coming and I can’t wait for Saturday night,” said Hearn.

“It’s very unusual for a fight of this magnitude to happen in the United Kingdom where a credible and impressive world champion will come into our own man’s backyard to defend his title.

“I liken this to Ricky Hatton and Kosta Tsyzu or Joe Calzaghe against Mikkel Kessler. Those fights have a common denomintor which we hope to see again on Saturday night.

“We are talking about two incredible fighters and two incredible athletes and they both deserve everything they get out of this sport.”

Former two-time WBC champion Froch is still licking his wounds from a disappointing unanimous points defeat against impregnable American Andre Ward in December.

Never one to shy away from fighting the very best the division has to offer, the 34-year-old will point to eye-catching wins against Glen Johnson, Arthur Abraham, Andre Dirrell, Jermain Taylor and Jean Pascal – all in a glittering last four years.

Only a controversial points loss to Mikkel Kessler in his native Denmark ruins that winning streak.

“I know that in life and in sport, you don’t get everything you deserve, but if anyone deserves anything it is Carl Froch becoming a three-time champion of the world,” continued Hearn.

“We know boxing doesn’t always happen like that but what I can promise is an incredible, incredible fight on Saturday night.

“Because Lucian is coming into Froch’s backyard, we don’t know how he is going to respond.

“We don’t know how Froch is going to respond in a packed out, sold out arena.”

Hearn also believes fighting in Nottingham could prove a crucial factor in the eventual outcome of what is expected to be a close bout.

“The atmosphere will be like none other we have seen in a British ring,” added Hearn.

“It’s going to be hostile, but potentially reasonably friendly. But the fans are in for a real treat because the fight sells itself.

“It’s a completely sold out arena. I think Froch will become one of Britain’s greatest ever fighters on Saturday night.”